For-profit organizations need one thing to stay in operation: profit. One way to protect profits is to protect the property the business is on, inside and out. This can be done with alarm and camera systems, but they shouldn’t be working alone. No, commercial enterprises need additional managed security services as well. One of those managed services is access control.

Why Access Control Makes Sense

Access control systems are designed to help organizations manage who enters the premises. They can be installed at gates to keep unauthorized individuals off the entire property, or at building entries to restrict them from entering indoors. For an organization that wants to protect its assets – including people, equipment, supplies and merchandise – access control just makes sense for the bottom line. After working hard to secure those assets, why would anyone leave their security up to chance?

Why Choose Hosted Services

Even organizations with substantial IT infrastructure may consider choosing a managed service to host their access control systems. Managed services ensure that the onsite management or security team can receive accurate business reporting. The reports record time-stamped entries to a managed location so that more informed security decisions can be made. If video surveillance is also installed, there are managed solutions for the integration of video technology with the other security equipment. Everything can work together to provide clear security records that protect the organization from threats, loss and other detriments.

To learn more about protecting your bottom line with access control, Delaware Valley organizations can call Security Instrument. We will be glad to provide a complimentary security analysis.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is a full-service, independently-owned security integrator that offers numerous residential and commercial security options. We serve thousands of customers located throughout Delaware, MD, NJ & PA.

It’s the big dilemma for every business owner: Do you continue with the services you currently pay for at a lower cost, missing out on potentially streamlining those services and getting better quality – or, do you shift to an upgraded product with higher quality that can combine all your services into one package? After all, the second option can save you money in the long run.

That’s how we present the choice to upgrade to smart security technology. When business owners make the change from a traditional security system that’s limited in the functions it performs to one that integrates their alarms and cameras with non-security systems like lights, locks and indoor climate, two things happen.

First, you streamline your operations.

As a business owner, you can control all those functions in your building with a simple tap on your smartphone. It’s far less tedious than the “old” way of running a business property: walking the premises, locking up, turning the thermostat up and down (or forgetting to before you leave) – and that’s all before you’ve set the alarm. With smart security technology, it’s all done from the convenience of your phone (which means you can do things even after you’ve left for the day).

Second, you save money in the long-term and short-term.

For the business owner who can’t afford to wait a long time to see cost savings, smart security technology can still be a good fit. When you see lower utility bills because the lights and indoor climate can be controlled with your phone or even programmed to come on and off in “scenes” you create, those are immediate cost savings. When loss mitigation goes from being an insurance claim after a robbery to an alarm and camera event that stops a robber in his tracks, those are immediate cost savings. When you think of it this way, the great paradox doesn’t seem so great at all.

To learn more about Delaware security systems, contact Security Instrument for a complimentary consultation. We will be glad to demonstrate smart security technology to you.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is a full-service, independently-owned integrator that offers numerous options for home and commercial security. Delaware, MD, NJ & PA homes and businesses are among our thousands of customers.

In the “old days” of electronic security, getting the most value out of a security system was merely equivalent to making sure it was working. But now, getting your money’s worth out of your security system is an entirely different matter – especially for a business that’s concerned about its bottom line. How can you make the most of what you have? Here are some tips.

Utilize Everything the System Has to Offer

When you have a system that can be automated, take advantage of that by programming your system to create scenes – in other words, create a series of commands for the system so that multiple things can happen with one tap of your smartphone app. When you arrive in the morning, tap on the app to disarm the alarm, turn on lights and get the AC going. The lights and AC commands alone can cut help a business down on overhead.

Let Go of Old Habits

“Out with the old, in with the new.” Now that you have the ability to set scenes that control some of the most important functions of your business property, it’s time to break the old habits that are costing you money: flipping the lights on and off manually around the clock or leaving the AC on all summer rather than managing it with your security app, for example. As far as the alarm goes, it’s time to stop entering the code at the keypad; it’s 2018 and you can disarm it with your smartphone. How does that save you money? For one thing, it greatly reduces the risk of false alarms, which most cities are known to issue fines for.

Ask for a Thorough Demonstration

The best way to learn about getting the most value from your security system is to ask your integrator to demonstrate operating it for you. Before your setup is complete, you should know how to give commands through the smartphone app that perform all the functions you plan to use the system for. To speak with a security integrator that can do this, contact Security Instrument for a complimentary assessment. We offer one of the most thorough security system consultations in Delaware. 

About Security Instrument
Security Instrument is a full-service, independently-owned integrator that offers numerous options for home and commercial security. Delaware, MD, NJ & PA homes and businesses are among our thousands of customers.

Biometrics are nothing new to the security space. Commercial enterprises and public organizations with large footprints have been using biometric authentication technology for years – and now, it’s used in everything from verifying identities on social media and smartphones to banking systems and border patrol. But where biometrics remain the most useful is in employee access control, where it is applauded for its accuracy and the airtight security it delivers for employers. Unlike passwords and card credentials, physical identity is too difficult to fake – and, it’s impossible to misplace or forget.

That being said, what are the pros and cons of each type of biometric access control? Let’s take a look at several examples.

Biometric Access Control through Fingerprint Scanning

Pro: Arguably the most widely used form of biometric technology. Placing a finger on the scanner is easy and unintimidating.

Con: The finger most often used to scan is the index finger – and unfortunately, that’s also the finger most likely to get a papercut. A cut on the finger can easily throw the scanner off. To mitigate this, many organizations achieve maximum accuracy by combining the fingerprint scan with a passcode, or they issue credential cards as backup.

Biometric Access Control through Iris Recognition

Pro: An iris recognition is even more difficult to fake. Unlike a fingerprint, it doesn’t require contact with the scanner. Scanning the unique colors and patterns of a person’s iris, it stores this data for authentication.

Con: Although iris recognition is highly accurate, it can still be thrown off by contact lenses, lashes and even dark eyes. Researchers have been able to recreate irises stored on one scanner and subsequently trick another scanner into gaining access. So, the technology is still not tamper-proof.  

Unlike passwords and card credentials, physical identity is too difficult to fake – and, it’s impossible to misplace or forget.

 

Biometric Access Control through Retinal Scan

Pro: Unlike its counterpart iris recognition, a retinal scan uses infrared light to scan the blood vessel patterns in the eye; then, it records those patterns to video. This makes it more accurate than iris recognition.

Con: It remains the most expensive access control option available.

Biometric Access Control through Facial Recognition

Pro: Widely known as the fastest form of access control ID, facial recognition takes nearly one second to work. Even slight changes in facial points can trigger a denial of access.

Con: That same pro can also be a con. If a person grows facial hair, loses weight or undergoes a rhinoplasty – all fairly common appearance-changing events – then they are likely to be denied access by the facial recognition access control system at their employer.

Biometric Access Control: The Conclusion 

While biometric access control is highly accurate, it is not entirely failproof. Employers must consider the options available and determine how to mitigate the pitfalls of each method. Often, a simple backup method of issuing a credential card can be a good solution. With these methods combined, an organization can experience rock solid security that keeps employees and other occupants of the campus as secure as possible.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is a full-service, independently-owned integrator that offers numerous options for home and commercial security. Delaware, MD, NJ & PA homes and businesses are among our thousands of customers.

In part one, we addressed ways that integrating access control and video surveillance can assist with intruder verification. There are additional ways it can be useful, though. Consider this scenario: When he arrives for work in the morning, the facility manager of an industrial facility is reviewing the security logs from the previous night. In the access control log, he notices that someone attempted to enter a secure area of the building overnight. The alarm/event time is timestamped for a time no unauthorized employee should be onsite.

An Employee Onsite During Off-Hours

Because he is able to see which access card was used to attempt entry, the manager believes it was a current employee of the organization. Now, he can go to the video surveillance footage and confirm the person’s identity. Because the two systems are integrated, he can do this with the click of a button.

Why does he need to confirm the person’s identity? Unless the company wants to put itself at risk of legal trouble, the employee in question should not be fired on a hunch or a suspicion; the company needs to know unquestionably what person tried to enter the secure area during the night, and video surveillance can provide that. If the systems were not integrated, it would be very difficult for the manager to piece together the bits of information available to solve this puzzle. But because they are integrated, he can solve it in minutes and take decisive action.

What Access Control and Video Integration Does

Integrating video surveillance and access control gives managers an overview of accurately layered information. Because the access control information is layered over the video footage, the manager can identify the:

  • Date and time of the access card read
  • Name of the access card holder
  • Unique ID number or badge number
  • Name of the door or reader being accessed
  • Access granted / denied condition

It’s everything a manager needs to stay informed about security events on the property. To learn more about improving environmental awareness with access and video integration, contact Security Instrument for a free security analysis of your commercial property.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is a full-service, independently-owned integrator that offers numerous options for home and commercial security. Delaware, MD, NJ & PA homes and businesses are among our thousands of customers.

Access control systems and video surveillance are both important forms of electronic security. When the two are integrated to work together, specifically in large organizational applications, the results can be outstanding. By linking these systems during the next routine upgrade, an enterprise can maintain situational awareness while reaching higher productivity goals, all while lowering costs. Meanwhile, downtimes can be dramatically reduced and erroneous operational procedures can begin to phase out until they are eradicated completely. It’s tough to find a negative when examining the prospect of video and access control integration.

Where to Link Video Surveillance Cameras

When security cameras are being integrated with an existing access control system, the most common recommendation is to install them along all interior and exterior doors that have an access control system. This allows managers to verify the identity of those who have been granted access. If an unusual security event takes place, having cameras and access control linked guarantees accountability and can greatly simplify both internal and external investigations into the matter.

When cameras are linked to each access control system, management will benefit from:

  • Up-to-date records of employee routines, processes, and productivity
  • Confirmation of employee attendance and department assignments
  • Knowledge of any onsite visitors and their location
  • Defense against damaging false liability claims

Ideally, video surveillance cameras should be supported by IP-based technology that displays the information from the access control system in a single, searchable, easy-to-understand interface.

Other Uses for Live Video Surveillance

The simple interface may also include a visual layout or map of the property that identifies key access points and their corresponding cameras. When this layout is accessed, managers can get an immediate overview of the facility in order to verify the status of each entry point. If an unauthorized individual is attempting to gain access, the system sends an alert to the monitoring center. The monitoring center can then send the manager:

  • Live video, which the manager uses to verify whether the person is authorized to enter
  • A snapshot of the event (which also triggers the alarm), also for verification purposes

For organizations that need to stay on top of building occupancy for security reasons, integrating access control and video surveillance is the most logical solution. To learn more, contact Security Instrument for a complimentary security analysis of your facility.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is a full-service, independently-owned integrator that offers numerous home security options, including security systems for senior citizens. In Delaware Valley, Security Instrument serves thousands of customers located throughout Delaware, MD, NJ & PA.

Critical assets: What are they? In short, they’re everything (or everyone) your organization wants to protect. When forming a security plan, a business or organization must first identify those assets – and after that, determine how to minimize the vulnerabilities that may cause a breach in their security.

Examples of Critical Assets 

There are a variety of assets an organization may wish to protect, and different security solutions that can help meet the need. Here are some examples.

Facilities: The buildings that house organizations are perhaps the most critical assets of all – because before anything inside can be protected, the facilities must be secured.

Employees: Companies do not own people – and yet, people make companies work. To that end, employees and other human resources are intangible, yet critical assets.

Equipment: That goes for production equipment, maintenance equipment, and the security equipment the organization will be investing in. Part of identifying critical assets is knowing and recording the value of the equipment.

Inventory: For retail businesses, inventory is lifeblood. For other types of organizations, inventory may be transactions that are either closed or in the pipeline – or, they could be the case files that are currently being serviced.

Intelligence: Whether it’s a design, corporate strategy, payment system, the identification information of clients or any other proprietary information, intelligence is a highly critical asset for an organization. This is especially true in the digital age when information can be obtained via a cybersecurity breach; however, many malicious parties are still inclined to steal business intelligence manually.

Identifying Critical Assets is only the First Step

Pinpointing critical assets is only the first step toward performing a needs-based assessment and forming a larger security plan. Once the critical assets are identified, setting goals for safeguarding those assets comes next. That’s where an experienced security integrator can be a valuable partner.

If you are charged with forming a security plan for your organization, consider turning to a commercial security provider in the initial stages of the security plan. Security Instrument can take your knowledge of critical assets to the next step: determining how to protect them.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is a full-service, independently-owned integrator that is equipped to help commercial organizations design and implement a security plan. In Delaware Valley, Security Instrument serves thousands of customers located throughout Delaware, MD, NJ & PA.

False alarms aren’t just a nuisance; they can become very costly, both for police departments and security companies. In fact, the state of Delaware general assembly passed a bill 16 years ago to enforce penalties on security companies that send false alarms to police. Fortunately, technology has advanced significantly since then; today, we have a false alarm-fighting tool called video verification.

How Video Verification Helps Reduce False Alarms

Door and window sensors power the majority of alarm systems – and yet, relying on these alone can cause a business to run the risk of sending a false alarm to the monitoring center. This can lead to fines for the business and wasted law enforcement resources. While call verification is valuable service, some clients authorize people who are not located at the business site to verify the alarm. These people may not always be able to verify whether the alarm was legitimate.

For those reasons, we recommend that businesses consider taking advantage of video surveillance with video verification, a service which is designed to cast a set of digital eyes on the premises and allow the company to verify whether what was captured was suspicious or not before police are called. It can greatly reduce the risk of false alarms at your Delaware business, sparing you from lost revenue in city fines.

How Video Verification Works

Video verification replaces the system’s traditional alarm function with intelligent alerts that include 1) a signal from intrusion detection devices, and 2) live video and/or recently recorded clips. The alerts are then sent to:

· The monitoring center, first to determine the cause of the intrusion signal

· An authorized user at the business to confirm or deny the intrusion with the monitoring center

If verification of suspicious activity has been achieved, the police will be notified so they can dispatch someone to your site. The goal is not only to minimize false alarms; more pointedly, it’s designed to minimize false dispatches, which are a harmful drain on local police departments. When these are minimized, police departments can do their jobs more effectively for the communities they serve. For more information on minimizing false alarms at your Delaware business with video verification, contact Security Instrument for a free security analysis.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is Delaware’s largest full-service independently-owned security company, serving thousands of customers throughout Delaware, MD, NJ & PA

The widespread adoption of IP video surveillance has allowed organizations to abandon traditional cabling networks in favor of using their existing data network infrastructure, which is a far more streamlined approach to surveillance. In fact, larger enterprises are taking this one step further by upgrading to high performance wireless networks so they can provide IP video surveillance to their expansive campuses, linking the dozens or even hundreds of cameras via a single network. But these are just a couple of ways IP video surveillance can work at your Delaware Valley enterprise; depending on the specificities of your application, there are other potential benefits to consider.

IP Video Surveillance Mesh Deployment

Enterprises that take advantage of IP video surveillance may be able to deploy their wireless networks as a “mesh,” which means they contain multiple nodes (also known as links) of access. This is a practical procedure because if one node fails, then the network is able to find the next best path of data transmission in the network. The goal? Keeping recorded video in the system so that no event goes unseen and no breach of security goes unproven. And isn’t that the reason organizations invest in video surveillance in the first place?

Streamlining Costs with IP Video Surveillance 

IP video surveillance can be a great solution for organizations looking to restructure their security technology in a more budget-efficient way, because it eliminates the costly requirements of cabling.

Cabling is an expense that can add up quickly, whether it’s Ethernet or the even more expensive fiber optic cabling option (which may require monthly, quarterly or annual leasing from a third-party provider.) If cost is a concern (and isn’t it always?), then IP video may be a valid consideration.

Faster Installation with IP Video Surveillance 

If some type of fixed infrastructure is required in order to support video surveillance, it can be costly to create, retrofit or upgrade – but equally important is the amount of time it takes to complete the installation. Rather than waiting for an expensive infrastructure project to be ready for launch, an IP video surveillance solution is virtually plug and play. This can make it a better option for many types of enterprises, but it can also make it an ideal solution for a temporary deployment – say, a public event. To that end, municipalities are turning to IP video surveillance in droves.

This barely scratches the surface of how IP video surveillance works and what it has to offer. To learn more, contact Security Instrument with your questions; we will be glad to provide more information.

About Security Instrument

In addition to being a trusted provider of IP video surveillance in the Delaware Valley, Security Instrument is Delaware’s largest full-service independently-owned security company, serving thousands of customers throughout Delaware, MD, NJ & PA.

Delaware is no stranger to smash and grab burglaries. Two years have not passed since two Philadelphia, PA men were sentenced to 20 years in prison for committing a string of them, including one crime that involved stealing a $2 million ruby sculpture from a Wilmington jeweler. Furthermore, smash and grab burglaries don’t only happen to high-end businesses; they happen to retail establishments of all kinds. With that in mind, what can you do to reduce the risk of a smash and grab burglary happening at your business? We recommend tapping into the power of IP video surveillance.

What IP Video Surveillance Is

Internet Protocol (IP) video surveillance is powered by the web, which enables the video to be accessed from virtually anywhere with a wifi connection. IP video is no longer the “next big thing” in video surveillance; it is now the normal thing, and eventually, it will be the only thing. An IP video surveillance system goes beyond the last generation of video storage (DVR) in terms of economic feasibility, image quality, and security system integration. Much like your smartphone streamlined your communication and time management, an IP camera system can streamline your business security protocols.

What IP Video Surveillance Does 

IP technology makes it easier for businesses to copy, share and transmit video, which is great for businesses with multiple locations – or, businesses where the ownership is offsite much of the time.

If a burglary occurs, a business owner can view the video from anywhere – and if criminals are “smart,” they may see the advanced camera systems in full view and may be deterred from acting in the first place. To that end, IP video is a powerful tool for businesses that are serious about loss prevention.

IP Video Surveillance is Flexible

IP camera systems offer greater flexibility than the legacy systems in many established businesses. For example, a business on a tight budget may opt to replace only the most obsolete equipment with IP cameras, and only at key zones throughout the property. Incorporating IP video surveillance into your building’s security agenda, even incrementally as budget allows, can be a good way to minimize the risk of smash and grab burglary. For more information, contact Security Instrument.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is Delaware’s largest full-service independently-owned security company, serving thousands of customers throughout Delaware, MD, NJ & PA.